§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the objectives of his Department's policies for the rest of this Parliament.
§ Mr. FowlerConsiderable developments and improvements have already taken place in the fields of social security, health and personal social services during the lifetime of this Parliament. The Government are committing over 35 per cent. more in real terms to spending on social security in 1985–86 than in 1978–79, and we are seeking to ensure that those extra resources are used to the best advantage of beneficiaries. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, recently made reference to some of the major achievements of my Department in her reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) on 24 February at columns400–404. Our present plans seek to build on those achievements.
Legislation is now before the House to give effect to the major proposals for improving the social security system, put forward in the White Paper "Reform of Social Security: Programme for Action". The main objectives of the Bill are to give new rights and new opportunities in pension provision and to enable many more people to build up their own pensions; to ensure that more help is directed where it is most needed, in particular for low income families with children both in work and out of work, to improve incentives by substantially reducing the unemployment trap and eliminating the worst effects of the poverty trap; and to create a simpler social security structure that is easier for staff to administer and for the public to understand. Hand in hand with these reforms, which will be phased in during 1987 and 1988, we are building a more modern framework for delivering benefits with one of the most ambitious computer strategies ever undertaken in this country. In 1988 three major computer projects will begin the start of a transformation in the delivery of social security services both for staff and the public.
In addition, the Government remain committed to maintaining the real value of the basic state retirement pension. We have also started a major new survey to secure more comprehensive and up-to-date information about the numbers, circumstances and needs of disabled people. The full results of the survey are expected to be published in 1988, and will provide the evidence needed for a review of provision for sick and disabled people.
We expect to see continued development in the all round performance of the health service which in 1984 succeeded in treating more patients than ever before in history. All regional and district health authorities have appointed general managers; we intend that they should concentrate on securing the highest quantity and quality of patient care from resources available. Spending on the service is already at a record real level, and is set to increase still further over the next three years to a total of £17 billion in 1988–89 in England alone. Capital investment levels in the National Health Service estate will be maintained and modernisation of the building stock will 51W continue. We are currently committing over £1,000 million to 147 major hospital projects under planning, design or construction. High priority will be given to the rationalisation of the estate, with consequent benefits of reduced running costs and increased income from land sales which will be used for the improvement of services to patients.
The Government will introduce legislation shortly to remove Crown immunity from hospital catering by making health authorities subject to the provisions of the Food Act 1984.
Priority is being given to the improvement of renal services and to improving cervical cancer screening programmes. Controlling the spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome is also a major objective. We will continue to emphasise the need for improvements in the general health of the population, and to promote debate on and improvements in the field of primary health care. We expect to publish a consultation document on this important topic shortly.
We will continue with our campaign of education and information on drug misuse and with the improvement of treatment and rehabilitation services.
Turning to the personal social services, an important challenge is the need to develop community care services for people whose needs can be met outside hospital, and also to support their families and others who care for them. We shall continue to encourage local authorities to improve the management, allocation and delivery of the services they provide, and to assist voluntary organisations to extend the range and enhance the quality of their contributions. We shall be developing, with health and local authorities, systems of joint planning, vital to the successful growth of community care.
The efforts of local authorities to secure more effective use of the resources available for the personal social services are being assisted by my Department's social services inspectorate. The inspectorate's work programme, agreed annually with the local authority associations, includes the inspection of home help services, community services for mentally ill people, and social services for the care of children at risk of abuse. We are giving priority to the issue of guidance to help local authorities with the problem of child abuse, and undertaking a major review of child care law.